Systems for soft tissue repair

Abstract

Systems for tissue repair are described where an elongate tissue repair device may be introduced into a single incision to access the damaged tissue. A suture delivery assembly may be sized for insertion through a single incision and positioned into proximity with a damaged or ruptured tissue region. A first portion of the damaged tissue region may be positioned within or along a channel defined along the suture delivery assembly and one or more lengths of suture may be secured to the first portion via the device. A second portion of the damaged tissue region may be similarly positioned within or along the channel and one or more additional lengths of suture may be secured to the second portion via the device. The first and second portions may then be approximated and secured to one another via the sutures to facilitate healing of the damaged tissue region.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A tissue repair system, comprising:
 a handle having an actuator; 
 a suture delivery assembly coupled to the handle and having a dual housing assembly including a first housing and a second housing which together define a tissue receiving channel, the first housing being moveable relative to the second housing; 
 a stylet translatable through the suture delivery assembly; 
 a curved needle that is rotatable from a delivery position at least partially through the tissue receiving channel to a deployment position when articulated by the actuator, the curved needle defining a clearance slot which is sized to partially receive the stylet when the needle is aligned relative to the tissue receiving channel in the deployment position; and 
 a length of suture carried on at least an outer portion of the needle, wherein the length of suture defines a suture loop extendable from a distal tip of the needle. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stylet comprises a length of suture. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the needle includes a suture groove between the distal tip and the clearance slot. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the needle further includes an additional suture groove proximal to the clearance slot. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue receiving channel is sized for receiving an Achilles tendon. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the suture delivery assembly comprises a needle housing having the needle therein aligned to rotate in a direction which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the suture delivery assembly. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the suture delivery assembly is removable from the handle. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable actuation shaft upon which the needle is positioned. 
     
     
       9. A method for repairing a tissue region, comprising:
 introducing a suture delivery assembly having a dual housing assembly including a first housing and a second housing, which together define a tissue receiving channel, through an incision in proximity to a ruptured or torn tendon tissue; 
 moving the first housing relative to the second housing to clamp the ruptured or torn tendon tissue within the tissue receiving channel; 
 positioning a first portion of the ruptured or torn tissue within the tissue receiving channel; 
 rotating a needle from a delivery position within the suture delivery assembly to a deployment position such that the needle pierces into and through the tissue positioned within the tissue receiving channel, where the needle further passes a length of suture through the tissue; 
 advancing a stylet through the suture delivery assembly and through a stylet clearance slot defined along the needle; and 
 securing the lengths of suture to the first portion of tissue. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein introducing the suture delivery assembly comprises introducing the suture delivery assembly through a single incision along a posterior region of a leg. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein rotating the needle comprises actuating a handle attached to a proximal end of the suture delivery assembly. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein rotating the needle comprises actuating two or more needles simultaneously. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the needle further defines a suture guide along the needle proximal to a distal tip, the suture guide forming a suture loop along the needle, and wherein advancing the stylet comprises passing a suture length through the suture loop. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising re-introducing the shaft into the incision in proximity to a second portion of the ruptured or torn tissue. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising approximating the first and second portions of the tissue towards one another and securing the first and second portions. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising clamping the suture delivery assembly to the ruptured or torn tissue prior to rotating the needle.